In Observance of U.S. holiday, Memorial Day, Agilent Cross Lab/ iLab Operations Software will be closed during U.S. hours on Monday May 28th, 2018. EU and APAC support coverage will remain open during this time. We will resume U.S. support hours on Tuesday May 29th, 2018. For urgent matters, please add "Urgent" to the ticket subject and we will prioritize those requests first.

MDACC Laboratory Animal Genetic Services

Overview of Services

Laboratory Animal Genetic Services (LAGS) provides MD Anderson investigators with cost-effective, customized genome scans using polymorphic genetic markers to support rapid congenic line development and background strain characterization for mice and rats. Free consultation on rodent genetics is also provided by this core facility. We also offer infectious diseases testing for multiple agents affecting laboratory animals, particularly mice and rats. Sample collection from fecal samples, harvested tissue and swabs can be used to obtain DNA for testing. Tests for other infectious agents can also be developed and implemented according to the specific needs of your animal colony. Please contact Fernando Benavides for a consultation to develop a strategy for testing the new agent.

Why We Are Important

Despite the availability of new genome editing techniques, many genetically modified lines are maintained on a mixed genetic background; particularly those developed using ES cells. Another problematic scenario is the use of inducible and conditional systems involving lines with different backgrounds (e.g., cre-expressing lines crossed with floxed alleles). Hence, it is essential to pay attention to the background issue, since it is now well documented that the genetic background (including the presence of undesirable “passenger” mutations) greatly influences the phenotype of transgenic, KO, and KI models (see References under Links & Resources). Further, investigators frequently need to create congenic lines to study the effects of a particular allele in a different strain. Genome scans using multiple, informative genetic markers (e.g., microsatellites and SNPs) represent the state-of-the-art in defining genetic background.